River Oaks Revival: A Mediterranean Home Gets a Fresh, Modern Makeover with Timeless Charm

“I have worked with these clients on four houses over the past twenty years, and they are traditionalists at heart,” says Tami. “We want to honor that and stay true to their style while shaking things up a bit. Brelan’s youthful energy will help inform interiors that feel fresh and fun for our clients as they approach their next chapter.”

The Owens’ clients had long admired the 9,500-square-foot Mediterranean-style manse and jumped at the opportunity to make it their own when it was listed for sale in 2019. Tucked away on a quiet cul-de-sac surrounded by an acre of mature trees and plantings, its stately, sprawling façade boasted thick stucco walls, arched windows and shutters, clay barrel roof tiles, and a winding brick driveway. Although these architectural appointments could be considered iconic, its palette of sunny yellow, provincial blue, and jarring red seemed harsh and a little too Tuscan in the tony Texas neighborhood. To impart a cleaner, more contemporary sense of curb appeal, the design team swathed the stucco in soft white paint; removed the arched, louvered shutters; and swapped the wood-framed windows with sleeker, steel-clad versions. Even the driveway got an update with concrete pavers and gravel. A few limestone embellishments—namely the door surround, corbels, and pediments—were left intact as a nod to the home’s classical roots.

“Our clients are empty nesters, but they have a large circle of family and friends, and they are always willing to open their home for philanthropic events that benefit their community,” says Brelan Owen. “We wanted to simplify and streamline the interiors to suit the way they live and entertain. For these reasons, versatility was an essential component to the new design. Rooms needed to feel warm and welcoming for everyday use but also elegant and refined for those occasions that call for a little more formality.”

Throughout the house, walls painted in Benjamin Moore White Dove provide a blank canvas for layering such materials as the antiqued limestone pavers in the entry and the original white oak floors beyond that were refinished in a lighter, less ruddy stain. The study is one space, however, that remained saturated in color. The homeowners were drawn to the room’s existing red hue, so the Owens chose a similar shade for the walls and trim but applied it in a more current lacquered finish. “The glossy surface bounces light around the room, so the color retains its richness but feels less heavy,” Brelan says.

The most dramatic transition took place in the main living areas, including the great room, bar, kitchen, and breakfast room. Formerly wrapped in red and blue paint with chocolate brown cabinetry, the spaces now meld seamlessly together to forge an open and airier atmosphere sheathed in white walls, cabinetry, and stone.

“Our clients do love bright colors and distinct patterns, so we integrated them into the design but in smaller doses and quieter ways,” Brelan says. “Blues, oranges, and dark wood tones are still very much a part of the palette. They are carried out in the antique carpets, floral window coverings, and the graphic upholstery on the stained frames of the breakfast room chairs as well as the tables and consoles. Bold really can be beautiful as long as there is balance.”